28 April 1968(1968-04-28) (aged 76) Benalla, Victoria
Allegiance
Australia
Service/branch
Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service
1914–1946
Rank
Air Vice Marshal
Unit
No. 48 Squadron RFC (1917–1918)
Commands held
No. 3 Squadron (1931–1936)
RAAF Command (1942–1945)
Battles/wars
World War I
Gallipoli Campaign
Western Front
World War II
Pacific War
South West Pacific theatre
Awards
Companion of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Croix de guerre (Belgium)
Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm (US)
Other work
Member for Indi (1949–1958)
Air Vice Marshal William Dowling Bostock, CB, DSO, OBE (5 February 1892 – 28 April 1968) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). During World War II he led RAAF Command, the Air Force's main operational formation, with responsibility for the defence of Australia and air offensives against Japanese targets in the South West Pacific Area. His achievements in the role earned him the Distinguished Service Order and the American Medal of Freedom. General Douglas MacArthur described him as "one of the world's most successful airmen".
A veteran of World War I, Bostock first saw combat as a soldier in the Australian Imperial Force at Gallipoli, then as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front, where he earned the Belgian Croix de guerre. He joined the newly formed RAAF in 1921 and by 1941 had risen to become its third most senior officer, serving as Director of Training from 1930 to 1931, commanding officer of No. 3 Squadron from 1931 to 1936, and Director of Operations and Intelligence from 1938 to 1939.
The Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at the outbreak of World War II, Bostock was considered a leading candidate for the position of Chief of the Air Staff in 1942 but was passed over in favour of Air Commodore George Jones, a friend of twenty years. Appointed Air Officer Commanding RAAF Command soon after, Bostock became involved in a bitter and long-running dispute with Jones over control of the Air Force in the South West Pacific. Following his retirement from the RAAF in 1946, he became a journalist and later a Federal Member of Parliament.
Air Vice Marshal William Dowling Bostock, CB, DSO, OBE (5 February 1892 – 28 April 1968) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)...
including in the 1935 film The Cowboy Millionaire. Evalyn Bostock was the daughter of George WilliamBostock (born 1883, died 1968) and Gladys Havelock Caslade...
with a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer, Air Vice Marshal WilliamBostock, as his chief of staff. Each United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)...
rapport he had had with Menzies. However, he had a poor relationship with William McMahon, Holt's replacement as Treasurer. They had philosophical differences...
Marshal George Jones, and Jones's nominal subordinate, Air Vice Marshal WilliamBostock, in charge of RAAF operations in the Pacific. The Australian Prime...
Captain Joseph Burnett, Major General John Northcott and Air Commodore WilliamBostock. Over ten days, they discussed the situation in the Far East. They...
place, Labor has not held a Senate majority since. Future Prime Ministers William McMahon and John Gorton both entered parliament at this election. The election...
arrived in September and replaced Air Vice Marshal WilliamBostock as Kenney's chief of staff. Bostock took over the newly created RAAF Command. This brought...
Bridget Bostock (born c. 1678, died after 1749), also known as the Cheshire Doctoress, was a faith healer who spent her entire life in Coppenhall, Cheshire...
Australians Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead and Air Vice Marshal WilliamBostock (head of RAAF Command), made an inspection tour of the Labuan beachhead...
Conservative Michael John Jeffrey 955 33.3 -4.5 Labour Jamie Oliver WilliamBostock 878 30.6 +17.3 Green Steven Patrick Morris 540 18.8 N/A Independent...
Westmoreland Bostock (1884–1939) was born in England. He emigrated to New South Wales, Australia, with his parents in 1888. His father, George Bostock, was a...
and Arthur Calwell took part in debates with ministers Harold Holt and William McMahon. Somewhat surprisingly Menzies emerged as a confident and effective...
William Maher (/mɑːr/; born January 20, 1956) is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He is known...
Hewitt Bostock, PC (May 31, 1864 – April 28, 1930) was a Canadian publisher, businessman and politician. He was born in Walton Heath, Epsom, England and...
Bomball 1937 — Commandant, Australian Defence Force Academy (1990–93) WilliamBostock 1892 1968 Federal Member for Indi (1949–58), Air Officer Commanding...
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